My Billionaire Husband Wants All Of Me

Chapter 4

Aurora

Before I could stop myself, I blurted out.

“But sadly, those are the only two options I’ve got, and as bad as it seems, marrying you seems to be the easiest one.”

I felt my stomach churn at the words I had just said.

A year?

A whole year of being married to him whilst pretending everything was fine.

A year of pushing aside whatever remained of our past just so I could focus on saving my father's legacy.

A whole year of keeping him away from the one thing that reminded me of him every single time?

I can't deny it, it felt like a prison sentence. No, it actually is a prison sentence and I can't believe I have no choice but to get locked up in this prison.

His soothing deep voice cut through my thoughts reminding me that he was still there.

“Hey, I don't know what to say anymore, but we just have to figure this out together, even if you hate me. The fact remains that this is for both our businesses and our families, we just need to work together.”

Together? It wasn't a word I saw myself getting used to real soon.

Did he even hear himself?

The word just hung in the air like a joke.

How were we supposed to work together when we couldn't even stand being in the same room?

When just hearing his voice gave me unexplainable butterflies and made my heart skip uncontrollably.

There was no togetherness in this. The only thing that this should be tagged is a business transaction.

And yeah, we've only tolerated each other at work because I was very determined not to let sentiments come in between me and my job.

“You are clearly having so much fun with this. Talking about planning this together already?”

“I know you may think otherwise, but for the last time. I didn't plan last night.” his voice, intense, shaking me more than I could control.

“I didn't plan you ending up in my arms, and I definitely didn't plan waking up next to you thinking….” he paused and I held my breath. “Think that it felt right.”

My eyes fluttered and I averted my gaze instantly.

“No…don’t say that. Don't say things like that.” I whispered.

“Aurora”

“Don’t...don’t make this harder than it already is.

My phone buzzed me awake from my thoughts reminding me that I was in deep s**t cause I knew who was calling again.

I glanced at my screen, holding my breath as I felt his gaze follow me quietly.

“You should take that.”

I wanted to turn to him and say that it wasn't important, but I would only be lying.

And the way I see it, one of us would get hurt by this secret that is fighting to break free.

“Is there someone else?” His voice was calm, yet it cut through my thoughts like a sharp knife.

“What?”

He sighed, rubbing his hand over his head like he always did when he was nervous.

“Damn it…what was I thinking? There's definitely someone else,” he muttered and I nearly chuckled at his restlessness.

But I dared not.

“What kind of woman would it make me if I've got someone else, yet went on to spend a night with you?”

He opened his mouth to speak but closed it back.

“Exactly. You should know better.”

My phone buzzed again but this time it was a different call from….

Oh my God! The hospital.

Hours had passed yet I couldn't believe the most important issue in my life skipped my mind totally.

I'm such a bad daughter, and now I'm really going to keep being one? He's never going to forgive me if he ever finds out that I agreed to dance, and that's why he can never know.

Of course.

Our businesses, and our families, are the only valid reasons for this crazy agreement that I’m to adhere to against my wishes. But my father would have never wanted me to handle things this way.

He hates the Malcolms just as much as I do.

Deep in my heart, I knew I was asking for trouble if I got married to him. But it was either that, or f*****g lose everything that we literally don't have.

It's only a business transaction, Aurora, this is just for business.

I just have to keep that as my reminder, that's the only way I can get through the whole year of the arrangement.

As long as I get what I want, and my family is happy while the business is succeeding, then I know the risk is worth taking.

Because the truth will always be that, this wasn't just about me.

This was about saving a legacy my father had struggled to build from scratch.

Long before I was born, Lopez Ventures had held my family together like a backbone, and there’s no way I won't rebuild it or maintain the legacy it entails.

If marrying Archie was the price I had to pay, then so be it.

I was terrified of failing and of disappointing my father. But even more, I was terrified of everything that would happen when or if Archie learns the truth, or how she would feel knowing that I had kept this secret hidden from both of them.

But what if this arrangement didn't work? What if I fail myself and do not keep up appearances? The thought of it all was overwhelming, and I needed to find a way to manage the situation and come out successful, to make sure my fear didn't win this time.

And once a year is over, I would rebuild and move forward. I just had to survive it. I just had to do this for us.

I know I'm going to survive it. I just need to get us to be on the same page.

And suddenly, I felt in control again.

“Alright then, if we are going to do this, we would need some rules and regulations, I don’t have to move in with you, right?”

He raised a brow, clearly surprised by my sudden change of expression. I could tell that it relaxed him.

“I know you would want that very much, but there is no way I'm letting my wife live apart from me. Not for a year, not forever.”

Every defense and control I thought I had was shattered immediately. He sounded too bold, so in control, making my heart skip with his words.

It brought back memories, memories that reminded me of why I can't imagine sharing a space with him.

Oh my goodness! Would I ever get a moment alone to breathe?

This moment should be crowned nightmare of the year, the type I wouldn't hesitate jumping awake from.

But this was reality, an alarming one at that.

Being at close range with him meant only one thing, I couldn't hide this from him.

The thought of it all, the mere thought of it made my stomach twist.

Marrying Archie Malcolm was one thin

g, something I could manage from a distance obviously.

But, moving in with him? Under the same roof for an entire year?

Impossible!